Give Your Fertility A Boost!
by Maggie McHugh, MS, RD, CDN
Diet and fertility are linked. Pregnancy will occur sooner when diet includes well-balanced, healthful foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and meat/protein products.
Here are six tips that will increase your chances of becoming pregnant… sooner!
- Reach a healthy weight
- Avoid excessive exercise and extreme dieting that results in rapid weight loss
- Watch your caffeine intake
- Stay away from alcohol, smoking, and drugs
- Take a vitamin and mineral Supplement
- Do not megadose
If you are underweight or obese you may experience a hormonal imbalance that can affect the chances of getting pregnant. If you need to lose weight, a weight loss of 1 – 2 pounds per week is considered safe and healthy.
Maintaining a regular menstrual cycle is important. Body fat levels may be reduced to a level that can cause amenorrhea (irregular and / or loss of menstrual function), which can prevent pregnancy.
Caffeine intake of more than 500 mg per day has been associated with infertility in some women. Try to keep your intake to no more than 100 – 150 mg of caffeine each day. Brewed coffee has about 100 mg of caffeine in 1-1/2 cups, and 12 ounces of cola has about 40 mg of caffeine.
These are associated with decreased fertility, and can interfere with a healthful nutrient intake.
It may be beneficial to take a supplement, especially for those who have inadequate diets and were on an oral contraceptive. Purchasing a supplement that has no more than 100% RDA for vitamins and minerals is considered safe. Check with your healthcare provider for a supplement that is best for you.
Women who megadose on vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A and vitamin C from supplements, can cause birth defects and / or abnormalities in their baby if usage is carried throughout pregnancy. Remember…most women don’t know they are pregnant for several weeks.
And as always, make sure you are getting 400 mcg of Folic Acid in your diet everyday!
Maggie McHugh, MS, RD, CDN is a Registered Dietitian and co-founder of Eating For You (and baby too), inc. She can be contacted at (585) 271-6310 or please visit her website by clicking here.
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